Private equity firm Curwen Group has acquired the Old Palace of John Whitgift senior school site in Croydon, South London, from the John Whitgift Foundation.

The £4.7 million sale encompasses the Great Hall, Old Palace, science block and cathedral building sections of the former independent school campus.

Curwen Group is leasing the site to Redhill-Surrey-based Serenity Education Group which is opening a special educational needs school on the site next month.

The transaction involved careful consideration of the site’s historic significance, with the Foundation securing enhanced listing approval from Historic England earlier this year to protect the heritage elements. The nineth-century origins and continuous educational use since 1889 required specialist handling to balance commercial objectives with conservation requirements.

The Foundation has also negotiated ongoing access arrangements with Curwen Group, ensuring continued use for alumnae, Croydon Minster, the Friends of Old Palace, and chapel services. The Foundation remains in advanced negotiations regarding the sale of the remaining site areas, with proceeds from all sales directed to the Foundation’s education covenant.

Roisha Hughes, chief executive of John Whitgift Foundation, said: “The decision made in September 2023 to close Old Palace school was a particularly difficult one. As the school finally closed its doors to pupils earlier this summer, completing this sale will allow a new use of the site for educational purposes. We wish Serenity Education Group Ltd all the best with their new venture.”

Property consultancy Knight Frank facilitated the sale of the site which was put on the market last summer.

Emma Cleugh, head of education and charities at Knight Frank, said: “There’s significant demand for SEN provision and insufficient schools available to meet that need. We look forward to seeing what Serenity Education Group Ltd will achieve as they begin the new 2025-26 school year.”